Danforth Avenue
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Danforth Avenue is a major east-west artery in east Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The road is colloquially referred to by locals as The Danforth.
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[edit] History
The road was named for contractor Asa Danforth, who built Queen Street and Kingston Road, and started work in 1799. It was officially built by the Don and Danforth Plank Road Company in 1851 to Broadview Avenue, as well as connecting to Queen Street East and Kingston Road.
On Christmas Eve 2001, the Woodbine Building Supply fire occurred. The hardware store was located at the intersection of Danforth and Woodbine. It was one of the biggest fires in Toronto's history, as 170 firefighters were required to bring the six-alarm blaze under control. The building was less than fifty metres from residences in the neighborhood and more than fifty families had to evacuate their homes on Christmas morning. One person was killed and another was severely disfigured. Police and insurance quickly suspected arson and several people have since been convicted.
[edit] Route
The west end of the road spans the Don River valley, the Don Valley Parkway and Bayview Avenue via the Prince Edward Viaduct. West of that bridge, the street continues as Bloor Street East.
The Bloor-Danforth Subway line runs parallel to most of the road's route, offset to the north some 50 metres. The subway follows Danforth from the Viaduct west of Broadview Station to Main Street Station. The GO Transit Danforth Station, just off Main Street, takes its name from the avenue, where the commuter rail line intersects with it, on the Lakeshore East route.
In Scarborough, Danforth Road is part of the original road that connects Danforth Avenue with McCowan Road. It is possible, therefore, to stand at the intersection of "Danforth and Danforth". Local references are careful to note whether it is the Avenue or Road being referred to.
Previously, this route continued around the Highland Creek along roadways now known as Painted Post Drive, Military Trail (where the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus is located), Colonel Danforth Trail, and the eastern end of Lawrence Avenue near Port Union and the Rouge Hill GO Station.
[edit] Major attractions on Danforth Avenue
- Danforth is also home to Toronto's Greek community, also known as Greektown.
- Shoppers World Danforth, a World War II munitions plant, converted into a shopping plaza in the 1950s.
- Scarborough War Memorial, at the eastern end of Danforth Avenue at Kingston Road, once the junctions of former Highways 2 and 5.
- Variety Village, an athletic facility for disabled adults and youth.
- Birchmount Stadium and Scarborough Arena Gardens.
- Bangla Town - home of Bangladeshi shoppers and eaters.
[edit] References in Pop Culture
- The Barenaked Ladies reference this street in their song "The Old Apartment" from the album "Born on a Pirate Ship" (1996) in the line "I know we don't live here anymore/We bought an old house on The Danforth"
- The Only Cafe a popular hangout famous for its beer selection, frequented by TA, CW and Riz, is the subject of a song "Just about 'The Only' Blues" by the Canadian alternative Rockers The Lowest of the Low.
[edit] See also
Major streets in Toronto which intersect with Danforth Avenue (west to east):
- Broadview Avenue
- Pape Avenue
- Coxwell Avenue
- Woodbine Avenue
- Victoria Park Avenue
- Warden Avenue
- Birchmount Road
- Kennedy Road
Major Streets in Toronto which intersect with Danforth Road (west to east):
[edit] References
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